Having heard nothing but positive feedback regarding this airline, I was very interested to fly with them myself for my first-ever trip to Europe.

Word of mouth is a very powerful thing and it seemed that the feedback was right-on, Emirates truly does take the cake as one of the most impressive airlines I have ever flown with.

Flight Details:
Emirates B777 – 300 – EK419
3 June 2012
Sydney to Dubai, Business Class - Seat 8F

Seat Configuration:
2-3-2 in Business

Check in and Luggage Allowance:

Being offered a space available upgrade, my friend and I lined up in the Business Class check-in queue and crossed fingers that my Business Class upgrade came through.

Having never travelled Business Class before, it seemed like the best airline to start with!

Luckily there was ‘space available’ and while they apologised for not being able to accommodate my travelling buddy, Elysia kindly seemed happy for me as they processed both of our suitcases without the need to line up again.

30kg was allowed per person and, strangely enough, I came well under which was a good sign for the impending month I had ahead of me of travelling.

The service was impeccable through check-in and boarding commenced 20 minutes ahead of schedule.

Refuelling in Bangkok was painless with Elysia joining me in Business for a chat as we decided getting off the plane for such a short period of time (considering the need to go through security) wasn’t worth it.

On Time Service:

The service was impeccable through check-in and boarding commenced 20 minutes ahead of schedule meaning that we arrived for our refuelling stopover in Bangkok on time and, consequently, also arrived in Dubai on time.

Seat Condition:

I am and always have been a cruiser. I don’t dislike flying, but long haul flights in economy really take it out of you (and your back), so the concept of sitting in a seat that pretty much turns into a bed is a very foreign concept to me.

I’m the girl who is perennially stuck with the screaming child who pulls your hair and kicks your seat behind her. The girl who attracts tall men who want to stretch their legs beneath your seat and consequently take up your leg-room as well as theirs.

So this whole ‘space’ and comfort concept when it comes to flying was something that I was looking forward to more than you can imagine.

Taking my seat, I reach straight for the interactive panel that allows you to control everything from your reading light to the I.C.E system onboard.

Keen to explore the Information Communication Entertainment options (I.C.E), I stumbled upon another section...did that really say “massage”?

Surely this blissfully comfortable seat doesn’t offer a massage option as well? That would be too much to ask wouldn’t it?

It appeared not though and throughout the flight I alternated between pulsating, rolling and zig zagging massage options of different intensities and zones.

My blanket was lined with fleece and my pillow actually had some volume to it.

The privacy screen option would have come in handy if I had someone seated next to me, but, alas, there truly was space in Business Class this flight!

Everything was tucked away neatly but oh so handy. From the table to the cup holders, the nook for me to store items I wanted within reach to the space for my water bottle, it seemed as everything had been considered during the design process.

It was like my little home for more than a few hours and I was settling in nicely!

My friends were right when they said that I won’t be able to return to economy after this experience weren’t they?

Entertainment:

The entertainment offering on a long haul flight is paramount in the final outcome as to whether I enjoy the flight or not.

With over 600 channels, 40 games and 6,000 tracks of music all complimentary, it was clear that I wouldn’t need to pull out my laptop to watch anything!

In addition to the plethora of movies, television shows, games and music on offer, perhaps the most novel thing for me was the ability to call seat-to-seat which meant that Elysia and I could remain in contact for the flight without actually having to get up!

We chatted away comparing meals, fellow passengers and what we were watching, making the flight so much more special for the both of us as it was odd not sitting next to each other.

Some of the highlights of I.C.E for this flight in particular from my perspective were:

Information – being able to access flight info and the latest news headlines from the BBC News website.

Communications - The ability to maintain connectivity through email, phone and SMS is just amazing!

Not only can you access these services via I.C.E but also via your own mobile with AeroMobile!

I had always wondered how people could post on Facebook from 35,000 feet!

Costs vary dependent on your phone provider but they are apparently roughly the same as international roaming.

I simply had to send an SMS to my mother from the air purely for novelty reasons!

Entertainment – What is better than variety when it comes to onboard entertainment? Nothing!

I was torn between watching new release movies (my choices, “The Descendents”, “This Means War” and “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island”), old movies (my choice “An American in Paris”) and television shows with programs from channels including my favourite, “E!”

So much of a selection but I did need to sleep at some point...luckily I’m flying back to Sydney in the same month so can enjoy the movies I missed out on during my return flight.

Meal & Snack Service:

If you want to feel as if you’re flying in a fine dining restaurant, then you need to fly Emirates Business Class.

From the white linen service to an impressive selection of dishes, in-flight dining took on a whole new meaning to me.

On boarding I was offered a glass of champagne before being given the option of a cocktail, which I just had to take up of course!

A Fantasy Island was prepared and I dug heartily into a salmon and crab terrine, wild mushroom soup and the most tender lamb shanks you could ever imagine.

A three-course meal on a flight seems like such a treat to me...and this meal was just the beginning of it.

I was convinced to try the traditional opera cake regardless of how full I was and, whilst I wasn’t able to fit in any more than a few bites, I was very glad I agreed with the layered sponge and cream anglaise just melting in my mouth.

My “light” snack a mere few hours later was gratinated lobster served in a thermidor sauce and for breakfast before landing in Dubai I was treated to creamy scrambled eggs wrapped in a crepe and served with chicken nuggets.

Fresh tropical fruit and yoghurt refreshed my palate and my fabulous flight attendant was on hand whenever I craved a green tea throughout the flight.

Elysia had a very different food experience in economy to me unfortunately, after her agent didn’t book a vegan meal for her.

The crew in economy weren’t very lenient and didn’t offer her any alternatives for the long haul flight, but my flight attendant jumped right to it when I explained the situation to him and arranged for a vegetarian crew meal to be delivered to her with a glass of champagne to polish it off.

This was the norm for the rest of the flight for her each time a meal came out, with breakfast even an issue. I was quite surprised that they weren’t able to source any muffins or croissants from the leftovers in Business Class of which there were quite a few.

It was very interesting comparing the offering so directly between business class and economy but, regardless of the issues with food, Elysia was adamant that Emirates was by far her favourite airline and one she was very much looking forward to flying in the future.

Service:

Business Class service truly was second to none onboard this flight with my first round of flight attendants (flying from Sydney to Bangkok) beyond helpful. They not only spoilt me, but also my friend back in economy.

They truly do go above and beyond when it comes to pleasing their passengers and I enjoyed many a chat with the crew during the flight.

The Bulgari cosmetic kit given to me came in very handy and included a facial moisturiser, hand cream, perfume, a comb, a mirror, toothbrush and toothpaste among other treats.

It was sad to say goodbye to them when the new crew took over to take us onwards to Dubai but they too were a lovely bunch who went the extra mile to ensure that we were comfortable, full and had every creature comfort we could desire from warm scented face cloths to Godiva chocolates to satisfy those sugar cravings.

Now to board the A380 in Dubai...what surprises would delight me on board that aircraft?